The Cosmetic Body Lift:

An Integrated Approach

The harmony we strive for in facelift surgery is achieved with the Composite Facelift because all portions of the aging face are returned to their youthful positions. Using the same philosophy, many patients desire a body that is more “in sync” with their rejuvenated face.

"Essentials">

Such harmony can be achieved with body contouring procedures such as breast and body lifts. ??Both face and body procedures are commonly performed by most experienced plastic surgeons. Body procedures can often be done at the same time as a facelift, thereby using the same recovery time for both areas, and saving the hospital cost of two separate procedures. Naturally, you should discuss this with your surgeon. We have created a brief "Introduction" and an additional three-minute video on the "Essentials of the Cosmetic Body Lift" to present the details of how and why Dr. Hamra's integrated approach works so well to restore the contours of youth to the body.

The material introduced in the "Essentials" video is also presented in detail below for those who would like to study the elements in a more leisurely fashion.

Body Contouring

Body contouring today has come a long way, thanks to advances in techniques and in technology. We frequently see patients who have had previous procedures, such as liposuction or abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”), but are disappointed by the results.

While liposuction is almost always successful for removing “saddlebags” from the thighs, it is less effective in the abdominal area, which can suffer an excess of skin as well as muscle looseness due to multiple childbirths and weight fluctuations. The most disappointing result following simple liposuction is when the fat is removed, but the skin does not shrink evenly over the operative area. These results can be as unattractive as having the excess fat in the first place.??

Until recently, the only other option was a tummy tuck. While partially effective, this dated procedure can fall short of truly achieving a harmonious and comprehensive, dramatic result.??

The Cosmetic Body Lift

(You can click on any of the images within our galleries or on the arrows to review the before and after photographs.)

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The Cosmetic Body Lift

A complete, comprehensive result.

Please click the images or the arrows below to step through the gallery.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A complete, comprehensive result.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A complete, comprehensive result.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Note the dramatic change in this women's hips and thighs.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Note the dramatic change in this women's hips and thighs...even more impressive from the back.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A previous unattractive breast liftwas revised when the cosmetic body lift was done.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Note the complete removal of "saddlebags."

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A breast lift accompaniedthe cosmetic body lift for this patient.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Smaller implants were placed and her breasts were lifted at the same time as the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Impressive changes, whatever the individual body shape.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Standard "tummy tucks" can do nothing for large thigh circumference, or improve the flanks or back.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Scars from previous surgeries can be improved or eliminated by the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Scars from previous surgeries can be improved or eliminated by the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Vertical Scars from prior abdominalsurgery can often be totally removed.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

The cosmetic body lift can reverse all changes of pregnancy and aging.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

The cosmetic body lift can reverse all changes of pregnancy and aging.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Tone is restored to the post-partumbody by the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

Improved contour of the hips.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A satisfactory "tummy tuck" didn'taddress her flanks and back - areaswhich were improved substantiallyby the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A satisfactory "tummy tuck" didn'taddress her flanks and back - areaswhich were improved substantiallyby the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A satisfactory "tummy tuck" didn'taddress her flanks and back - areaswhich were improved substantiallyby the cosmetic body lift.

Left: Pre-OperativeRight: Post-Operative

The Cosmetic Body Lift

A brachioplasty (arm lift) was performed to remove excess fat and skin from the upper arms.

In the past few years, techniques from France and Brazil have been developed that render almost unbelievable results. While the incision extends a bit further to the side and back than a routine abdominoplasty, an entire lower body lift is accomplished through this one incision. In addition to the abdominal area, the hips, thighs, knees, and back are suctioned of fat and lifted. In short, the complete torso is addressed — “from nipples to knees”— as these photos show. At the same time, breast lifts or reductions, and even arm reductions can be done. It is common to go down two or three dress sizes.

I have added a few refinements to this Cosmetic Body Lift (“extended lipoabdominoplasty”) and find it to be the best body lift procedure for both first-time patients and those who have been disappointed with the results of previous liposuction or abdominoplasty. Patients see improvements that cannot possibly be accomplished without surgery—changes that are permanent as long as weight remains constant.

The Cosmetic Body Lift produces a truly unbelievable and exciting change. The surgery is done in a hospital under general anesthesia, with a hospital stay of usually two to three days.

Breast Lifts and other procedures

Often breast procedures are done at the same time as a primary or secondary facelift. Additional details as well as patient photographs on these procedures can be found on our Breast Surgery Page.